Chief Advancement Officer

ABOUT SEO

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) is a non-profitorganization with a rich history of supporting underservedstudents. Founded in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz as a mentoringprogram, SEO has evolved significantly over the decades. Itexpanded its reach in 1980 with the launch of SEO Career, a summerinternship program for college students, and later establishedinternational presence in London, China, Vietnam, and Ghana. SEOcurrently boasts a network of 25,000+ alumni, including 12,000+ inthe U.S.

SEO Scholars is a free, eight-year, academic program thattransforms public high school students into college graduates. SEOScholars successfully educates and mentors underserved, low-incomepublic high school students to and through college.

Over the past 10 years, under the leadership of Board ChairHenry Kravis and CEO William Goodloe, the organization has roughlyquadrupled in size while expanding the Scholars Program nationallyto San Francisco in 2011, North Carolina in 2022, and Miami in2024. SEO also prepares young professionals for entry into covetedcareers through programs that include SEO Alternative Investments,Tech Developer, and the Leadership Institute. Throughout itsjourney, SEO has garnered numerous accolades, including 11consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, and hassuccessfully raised $8 million annually through its award dinners.Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitatedthe addition of virtual programming in 2020, SEO has maintained acommitment to providing educational and career opportunities tounderserved students while adapting and expanding its impact.

POSITION OVERVIEW

SEO saw rapid and unprecedented expansion during the pandemic,prompting the need to grow and redesign our C-suite. Over the lastthree years, we have welcomed three new Executive Committee membersto oversee critical functions within the organization— SEOProfessional Programs, SEO Scholars Program, and nationaloperations. In the same period, we have also doubled theorganization's workforce and budget, expanded SEO's regionalfootprints in North Carolina and Miami, and opened a second site inOakland, CA, to accommodate our growing Scholars program in SanFrancisco.

The SEO Chief Advancement Officer is responsible for strategicdevelopment planning and activities supporting the NYC SEO Scholarsprogram and SEO general program/operating support, representing 40%of organization's $51M budget with the goal to grow support by 50%over next 3 years. A particular focus will be on nationalfoundations, corporate donors, and major individual donors. The CAOis expected to be a front-line national relationship builder andmajor donor solicitor, managing a portfolio of prospects, andsupervising an approximately nine-member development team.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) William Goodloe,the CAO will be a leader in lifting the current org-widedevelopment efforts to new levels of success by broadening ways toattract and more deeply engage with national foundations,corporations, and individual philanthropists over time – to becomestrategic sources of revenue. The CAO will also work closely withSEO’s professional programs and its Marketing & Communicationsteam to utilize SEO’s legacy of impact closing opportunity gaps toincrease national brand recognition as a whole. The CAO will serveon the Executive Committee of SEO’s Executive Leadership Team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising:

• Drive a strategy to raise roughly an additional $10 - 15m+ inannual revenue for SEO general program support and Scholars programsupport from a variety of philanthropic sources (annual giving,major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, alumni) andspecial events (an annual gala that consistently generates $8m+ inunrestricted funds and several smaller events focused on theScholars program and general SEO support).
• Leverage SEO’s existing ecosystem and activate SEO’s untappednetworks within the spaces where the organization currentlyoperates, including private equity and corporate partnerorganizations.
• In collaboration with the CEO, senior staff and Board ofDirectors, develop long-range strategies to significantly increasephilanthropic giving and serve as the key strategist for specific“asks.”
• Build and streamline a development model that accounts formajor donor funding from various avenues, including those ofpartner and expansion offices, to ensure coordination and maximizedonor engagement.
• Lead the positioning of SEO for further national expansion byestablishing and deepening relationships with all relevant internaland external partners/ constituents.
• Monitor prospect portfolios for the CEO, staff, board, andexpansion offices. Serve as an advisor and collaborator to theexpansion offices.
• Craft compelling cases for support of unrestricted funds thatmaximize relationships with current donors and cultivate andconvert new donors.
• Serve as a front-line cultivator and solicitor. Cultivate andsteward donors; make significant requests for support from majordonors, board members, foundations, and corporations.
• Ensure comprehensive, timely, and innovative stewardship of allgifts.
• In collaboration with Development Team, ensure the continuedsuccess of the annual SEO awards dinner, securing sponsors andhonorees for the organization’s biggest fundraising night of theyear.

Strategic Leadership:

• Effectively lead and organize the development team’s day-to-dayoperations and budgets; streamline processes and procedures.
• Serve as subject matter expert and partner to CEO in developinglong term strategy.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Committee of theorganization, collaborating with other members and leading aworkplace characterized by mutual respect and open discussion inwhich all strive for excellence and innovation.
• Develop and maintain a strong partnership with Board membersand leverage the Board to advance SEO’s fundraising activities. Asappropriate, cultivate and maintain relationships with ExpansionOffices’ advisory boards.
• Provide support to Board members in the identification,cultivation and solicitation of their portfolios of prospectivemajor donors.
• Develop a diverse and highly skilled staff that iswell-prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of a first-ratemission-driven organization.
• Nurture and mentor team members and provide opportunities formeaningful work, enhance their skills and develop theircareers.
• Create and foster an inclusive, DEIB focused environment amongstaff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of experience in a development or advancement rolefor a mission driven organization. 10+ years in a leadershipposition preferred.
• Experience leadinga national program/campaign that hasgenerated at least $45 - 50 million in annual contributions.Experience working with Salesforce is a plus.
• Experience as an organization-wide executive leader who hasworked collaboratively with peers and led staff.
• A definitive passion for SEO's mission and a reputation forethical stewardship and effective fundraising governance.
• The vision to lead the overall strategic direction of nationalfundraising operation, diversify SEO's revenue streams to outpaceour expansion, and identify and secure corporate and foundationpartnerships.
• The emotional intelligence to inclusively lead acrossdifference, manage change, and thoughtfully advise and collaboratewith leadership in Expansion sites on local fundraising initiativesin North Carolina, San Francisco, and Miami.
• The cultural competency to navigate evolving narratives in theDEIB space, center SEO's history of impact and excellence, andposition the organization as a respected innovator in socialequity.
• The humility to receive feedback and guidance from SEO's CEO,boards, peers, staff, community members, and participants. Thesuccessful candidate must model the integrity and values of theorganization as a trusted and visible representative of ourcommunity.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

The benchmarked base salary range for this position is$250,000 - $300,000.

This executive position also qualifies for SEO’s annual ManagementIncentive Plan (MIP) bonus based on individual and organizationalperformance. SEO offers a competitive compensation package andcomprehensive benefits plan, including low-cost health, vision, anddental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies,disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, andemployer contributions to health reimbursement and 403(b)retirement accounts. In addition, this executive position alsoqualifies for employer contributions towards 457(b) retirementplan. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each yearbased on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and striveto consistently use a DEIB lens to put people first andforemost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEObelieves it will pay for this position at the time of this posting.Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determinedbased on the skills, qualifications, and experience of theapplicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEOreserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies thebackgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and thecommunities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact wemake in the world. Candidates from all communities – includingpeople of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community,veterans, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged toapply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it isour commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an EqualOpportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will considerall qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color,ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression,sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, maritalstatus, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, geneticinformation or characteristics, or any other legally protectedstatus.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO,due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

ABOUT STANTON CHASE 

Stanton Chase is a top global retained executive search firm andleadership consultancy where global expertise meets local insightwith personalized service. The Stanton Chase D.C. officespecializes in C-Suite placements at mission driven organizations.For more information, please visit us at: www.stantonchase.com

Interest & Referrals

Jeff Perkins
Managing Director
Global Practice Leader, Social Impact
(202) 248-5088
j.perkins@stantonchase.com

Charles Nailen
Managing Director
(202) 248-5088
c.nailen@stantonchase.com 

Abbey Corona
Senior Associate
(202) 248-5088
a.corona@stantonchase.com